My Caregiving Story
Happy Black History Month. As I provide information, resources and support to caregivers, the question often arise as to why I chose this profession. I will share some of my story.
Being the 10th of 12 siblings, there was always someone with a scratch or bruise that needed attention. I was that caregiver, even bandaging and splinting our injured dogs that lived outside.
My grandmother (Annie Willis) was a missionary and visited the sick. I don’t have many memories of her because she passed away when I was 5 years old. However, her spirit of caring was passed on to my mother (Fannie “MomMae”), aunt (Chlorenda Willis, a retired school teacher) and me.
Aunt Chlorenda was a live-in caregiver for many families in Tallahatchie County from the time I was a child until the early 80s. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 98. Her assignments would be long- term, until the person died. She lived with families (Black and White) from months to years. In addition to caring for the ill family member, she cooked, cleaned and offered spiritual support. She was very seldom relieved to visit us during her “tours.”
When her client passed away, another family would have already requested her services. She did this with a kind, caring and compassionate spirit and without formal training in health care. She had a servant’s heart and adhered to the wishes of many who said they “didn’t want to go to nursing homes.”
“MomMae” and other missionaries would visit church members and community residents and provide care, cook meals and care for children of new mothers until the mother regained her strength or a relative came to live-in. Shifts were set up if overnight care was needed. In my Mother’s latter years, my siblings and I provided care for her and were blessed to have her live with us.
My passion for caring for others spans 50+ years. Professionally, I was the first Black Registered Professional Nurse hired by Tallahatchie General Hospital (TGH) at 21 years of age.
In the summer of 1971, after graduating from ETAC, I came to work at TGH through the CEDA Program. Due to my typing and shorthand skills, I was assigned to the hospital administrator’s office (William Ergle) working with his two secretaries. My desire to attend nursing school was acknowledged. I was awarded a scholarship from TGH to attend Mississippi Delta Junior College.
While in school, I worked on weekends, holidays and during the summers. I learned a lot from all staff – professional and ancillary – that prepared me for my role as RN. My caregiving and nursing career prepared me for a lifetime career of caring for God’s people.
One of my favorite scriptures for caregivers is Matthew 25:40: “...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Caregivers, remember that your time of caregiving will one day be the history of you and your clients. Do it with love, kindness and compassion. Caregivers are special and much needed.
Rev. Jiles Taylor-George, RN, BSN, MSN is a native of Tallahatchie County. She is a Certified Family Caregiver Support Group Facilitator and Certified Grief Counselor.
